most likely explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most likely explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain something or make a conclusion from the evidence. For example, "Based on the facts, the most likely explanation is that the virus was leaked from a lab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The most likely explanation is biology," he said.

The New York Times

It is the most likely explanation for the 1992 failure.

The Guardian

But she said it was the most likely explanation.

The New York Times - Health

Poisoning, whether intentional or not, seemed the most likely explanation.

The New York Times - Sports

That seems the most likely explanation for what happened.

The Economist

The most likely explanation is the simplest: more revenue.

The New York Times

It concluded the most likely explanation was that viewers misdialled the numbers.

The Guardian

The most likely explanation for the phenomenon, however, seems to be climate change.

The New Yorker

It's a stalemate…and that's the most likely explanation for the protracted recruitment process.

The Guardian - Tech

Ms. Geisz said the most likely explanation for the difference was glacial melting.

The New York Times - Science

The most likely explanation, by far, is that the numbers cannot be trusted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting the "most likely explanation", ensure you provide supporting evidence or reasoning to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "most likely explanation" as an absolute truth. Acknowledge that other possibilities may exist, even if they are less probable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most likely explanation" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces a reason or cause considered the most probable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most likely explanation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to present the most probable reason or cause for an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It finds application across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide supporting evidence and avoid presenting it as an absolute truth. Alternatives like "most plausible reason" or "leading hypothesis" can be used to add nuance. Understanding its function and purpose allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most plausible reason

Emphasizes the believability and reasonableness of the reason.

most probable cause

Highlights the causal relationship and its likelihood.

best bet explanation

Suggests the explanation that is the safest or most reliable.

leading hypothesis

Focuses on a scientific explanation that is currently considered the most valid.

primary suspect reason

Implicates a primary reason as being the most likely.

most credible account

Highlights the believability and reliability of the reported account.

likeliest scenario

Focuses on the scenario that is most likely to occur based on available information.

strongest candidate explanation

Presents the explanation that is the most compelling and supported.

prevailing theory

Suggests a widely accepted theory as the most probable explanation.

mainstream view

Identifies the most widely held belief or opinion as the explanation.

FAQs

How do you use "most likely explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "most likely explanation" to introduce a reason or cause that is considered the most probable based on available information. For example, "The "most likely explanation" for the sudden increase in sales is the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "most likely explanation"?

Alternatives to "most likely explanation" include "most plausible reason", "most probable cause", or "leading hypothesis", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "mostly likely explanation" instead of "most likely explanation"?

While "mostly" and "most" are similar, "most likely explanation" is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "Mostly likely explanation" is not standard English.

What is the difference between "most likely explanation" and "a possible explanation"?

"A possible explanation" suggests one of several potential reasons, while "most likely explanation" indicates the single reason that is considered the most probable or well-supported. The "most likely explanation" implies a higher degree of certainty.